Texas fishing license
Texas requires a recreational fishing license from age 17. The state licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. The current license year is 2026-2027 (August 15, 2026 – August 31, 2027).
Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · Reviewed July 30, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Texas, the official match is One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident).
- One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident)$16 · Valid for the selected day or days purchased.
What it covers
- One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident) — freshwater and saltwater. Base fee published by TPWD per day; excludes any vendor issuance fee.Limits on this license: Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes a one-day red drum tag.
Required add-ons
No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.
You may also need
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.
- Freshwater Fishing Endorsement — Required in addition to a valid fishing license if you take or attempt to take fish in the public fresh waters. Automatically included in the freshwater, all-water and lifetime packages. · $5
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident) covers the full trip: Valid for the selected day or days purchased.
Other options you are eligible for
- Non-resident Freshwater Package — $58 for this trip · Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.Public fresh water only.
- Non-resident All-Water Package — $68 for this trip · Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
Reduced-fee and free licenses, if you qualify (1, from No charge)
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers these to anglers who meet specific criteria — such as a disability, veteran or military status, low income, or tribal membership. We cannot check whether they apply to you, so they are never used as the answer above.
- Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package — No charge · Available to a resident or non-resident qualifying as a disabled veteran (loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 50% or more, receiving compensation from the U.S. for the disability). Only available in person at a license retailer. Includes hunting and fishing licences plus freshwater and saltwater endorsements with a red drum tag.
Exceptions that may change it
- Texas has a free fishing day coming up on June 5, 2027 (Free Fishing Day). No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident): Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes a one-day red drum tag.
- Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 are exempt from the fishing license requirement.
- A fishing license and endorsement are not required when fishing on state park property or in waters completely enclosed by a state park; more than 70 state parks offer this year round.
- A fishing license is not required to fish on waters completely enclosed within private property.
- A person with an intellectual disability fishing as part of medically approved therapy under the immediate supervision of personnel approved or employed by a hospital, residence or school, or fishing under the direct supervision of a licensed family member angler.
- This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.
Check current Texas regulations(external, opens the official state website)Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.
- Source
- Fishing Licenses and Packages — Texas Outdoor Annual(external, opens the official state website) — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Validity
- 2026-2027 · August 15, 2026 – August 31, 2027
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
Answers at a glance
Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.
Visiting for a day
Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day
One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident)
Published total: $16
Resident for the season
Adult Texas resident · freshwater · all year
Resident Freshwater Package
Published total: $30
Visiting for a saltwater day
Adult visiting from another state · saltwater · one day
One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident)
Published total: $16
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. A person who has lived continuously in Texas for more than six months immediately before buying their license, officially documented members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, or members of the U.S. Armed Forces (and their dependents) on "active duty" anywhere.
Age-based rules
- Anglers under 17 years of age, resident or non-resident, do not need a Texas fishing license.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Freshwater Package(external, opens the official state website)Public fresh water only. | ResidentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $30 |
| Resident Saltwater Package(external, opens the official state website)Public salt water only. | ResidentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $35 |
| Resident All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website) | ResidentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater and saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $40 |
| Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website) | ResidentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater and saltwater | Fishing license, a freshwater endorsement and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum and spotted seatrout tag are all valid from the date of purchase through the end of the purchase month of the next license year. | $47 |
| Senior Freshwater Package(external, opens the official state website)Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need no licence at all. | ResidentAvailable to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931. | freshwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $12 |
| Senior Saltwater Package(external, opens the official state website)Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need no licence at all. | ResidentAvailable to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931. | saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $17 |
| Senior All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website)Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need no licence at all. | ResidentAvailable to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931. | freshwater and saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $22 |
| Non-resident Freshwater Package(external, opens the official state website)Public fresh water only. | Non-residentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $58 |
| Non-resident Saltwater Package(external, opens the official state website)Public salt water only. | Non-residentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $63 |
| Non-resident All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website) | Non-residentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater and saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year. | $68 |
| One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes a one-day red drum tag. | ResidentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater and saltwater | Valid for the selected day or days purchased. | $11 |
| One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes a one-day red drum tag. | Non-residentAnglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement. | freshwater and saltwater | Valid for the selected day or days purchased. | $16 |
| Special Resident All-Water Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)Available to any Texas resident who is legally blind. Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes one red drum tag and one spotted seatrout tag. Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office or a retailer. | Resident | freshwater and saltwater | TPWD's licence table prints no separate validity for this item; TPWD's general rule is that most licence packages are valid from the date of sale through Aug. 31. | $7 |
| Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package(external, opens the official state website)Available to a resident or non-resident qualifying as a disabled veteran (loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 50% or more, receiving compensation from the U.S. for the disability). Only available in person at a license retailer. Includes hunting and fishing licences plus freshwater and saltwater endorsements with a red drum tag. | Resident or visitor | freshwater and saltwater | Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year; proof of disability must be shown each year. | No charge |
Resident Freshwater Package(external, opens the official state website)
Public fresh water only.
- Who
- Resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $30
Resident Saltwater Package(external, opens the official state website)
Public salt water only.
- Who
- Resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $35
Resident All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $40
Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Fishing license, a freshwater endorsement and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum and spotted seatrout tag are all valid from the date of purchase through the end of the purchase month of the next license year.
- Price
- $47
Senior Freshwater Package(external, opens the official state website)
Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need no licence at all.
- Who
- Resident · Available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $12
Senior Saltwater Package(external, opens the official state website)
Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need no licence at all.
- Who
- Resident · Available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $17
Senior All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website)
Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 need no licence at all.
- Who
- Resident · Available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $22
Non-resident Freshwater Package(external, opens the official state website)
Public fresh water only.
- Who
- Non-resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $58
Non-resident Saltwater Package(external, opens the official state website)
Public salt water only.
- Who
- Non-resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $63
Non-resident All-Water Package(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Non-resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.
- Price
- $68
One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes a one-day red drum tag.
- Who
- Resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid for the selected day or days purchased.
- Price
- $11
One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Non-resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes a one-day red drum tag.
- Who
- Non-resident · Anglers under 17 are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid for the selected day or days purchased.
- Price
- $16
Special Resident All-Water Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
Available to any Texas resident who is legally blind. Endorsements are not required for this license. Includes one red drum tag and one spotted seatrout tag. Purchase at a TPWD law enforcement sales office or a retailer.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- TPWD's licence table prints no separate validity for this item; TPWD's general rule is that most licence packages are valid from the date of sale through Aug. 31.
- Price
- $7
Available to a resident or non-resident qualifying as a disabled veteran (loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 50% or more, receiving compensation from the U.S. for the disability). Only available in person at a license retailer. Includes hunting and fishing licences plus freshwater and saltwater endorsements with a red drum tag.
- Who
- Resident or visitor
- Water
- freshwater and saltwater
- Valid for
- Valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year; proof of disability must be shown each year.
- Price
- No charge
Freshwater and saltwater
Texas licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. Check which waters your license covers before you fish — a freshwater license does not cover saltwater unless the option explicitly says it does.
State license vs federal registry. NOAA Fisheries lists Texas among the exempt states: anglers holding a valid Texas saltwater fishing licence do not need to register through the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Stamps, endorsements and report cards
- Freshwater Fishing Endorsement — Required in addition to a valid fishing license if you take or attempt to take fish in the public fresh waters. Automatically included in the freshwater, all-water and lifetime packages. · $5
- Saltwater Fishing Endorsement — Required in addition to a valid fishing license if you take or attempt to take fish in the public salt water. Includes red drum and spotted seatrout tags at no extra cost. Automatically included in the saltwater, all-water and lifetime packages. · $10
- Bonus Red Drum Tag — Required to take an additional red drum longer than 28 inches per license year. Only one allowed per angler annually. · $3
- Exempt Angler Red Drum Tag — For anglers who are exempt from Texas licensing requirements but wish to retain a red drum longer than 28 inches. · $3
- Exempt Angler Spotted Seatrout Tag — For anglers who are exempt from Texas licensing requirements but wish to retain a spotted seatrout longer than 28 inches. · $3
Exemptions worth knowing
- Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 are exempt from the fishing license requirement.
- A fishing license and endorsement are not required when fishing on state park property or in waters completely enclosed by a state park; more than 70 state parks offer this year round.
- A fishing license is not required to fish on waters completely enclosed within private property.
- On the first Saturday in June of each year, everyone can fish recreationally without licenses or endorsements.
- A person with an intellectual disability fishing as part of medically approved therapy under the immediate supervision of personnel approved or employed by a hospital, residence or school, or fishing under the direct supervision of a licensed family member angler. Still required: Requires supervision by approved personnel, or, when supervised by a licensed family member, documentation from a physician certifying the intellectual disability.
Free fishing days
- Free Fishing Day — June 5, 2027. First Saturday in June each year; TPWD lists the next Free Fishing Day as Saturday, June 5, 2027. All other regulations, including bag and length limits, still apply.
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- Fishing Licenses and Packages — Texas Outdoor Annual(external, opens the official state website) — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Retrieved
- July 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
- Also consulted
- Frequently Asked Questions About Licenses(external, opens the official state website)
- Purchase Requirements for Licenses, Endorsements & Tags(external, opens the official state website)
- Fishing Endorsements, Tags & Permits(external, opens the official state website)
- Free Fishing Opportunities(external, opens the official state website)
- Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package(external, opens the official state website)
- National Saltwater Angler Registry(external, opens the official state website)
Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.
Nearby states
Licenses are issued state by state — a Texas license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.